The battle of contracts and missiles between Trump and Musk in an open clash that threatens space and the economy

The American political arena is witnessing one of the most intense confrontations between politicians and businessmen, following the outbreak of a public conflict between President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. The conflict erupted over a massive tax dispute that threatened billions of dollars in space and security investments and government contracts.

Trump called Musk “crazy” and threatened to cut all US government contracts with his companies, most notably SpaceX and Tesla, in an attempt to respond to Musk’s criticism of the massive budget bill being pushed by Trump and Republicans.

Musk responded sarcastically, saying, “Go ahead, make my day better.” He then announced via the X platform that he would immediately begin dismantling the Dragon spacecraft, which NASA relies on to deliver astronauts to the International Space Station, a move sources described as potentially threatening the astronauts’ survival on board the station.

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is currently the only option available to the United States for sending crews to and from the International Space Station, especially after Boeing’s Starliner capsule failed on several missions. The spacecraft rescued American astronauts stranded aboard the station in March.

Musk accused Trump of ingratitude, asserting that his support for Trump was crucial to the Republicans’ election victory. He also hinted that Trump may be involved in the Jeffrey Epstein cases, serious allegations for which Musk provided no evidence.

Steve Bannon, Trump’s former advisor, attacked Musk, describing him as under the influence of drugs, and called for immediate investigations into his legal status, ties to China, and drug history, as well as the withdrawal of all government contracts from him.

According to the New York Times, SpaceX alone received $3.8 billion from the U.S. government in 2024, and Musk’s companies have received approximately $38 billion in government support and funding over the past two decades, according to an analysis by the Washington Post.

Some of Musk’s companies are poised to win major future contracts, including a key role in the Trump administration’s Golden Dome missile defense project, further complicating the situation and raising the possibility of escalation.

A NASA spokesperson confirmed in an official statement that the agency “will continue to implement the president’s vision for the future of space,” indicating continued cooperation with the private sector despite the political escalation.

Between Dragon and taxes, politics and space, money and loyalty, the confrontation between Trump and Musk is turning into a conflict that transcends individual interests and threatens entire systems of American space security and political economy simultaneously. Will the escalation stop, or will the confrontation take on new dimensions in the coming days?
Tesla stock lost 14% yesterday.